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Everyone makes mistakes
 when it
comes to applying for scholarships... even me! I lost out on a full scholarship with
tuition, fees, books, travel, room & board, and even MORE because I didn't do one
thing: make a simple phone call. When I finally decided to call the selection board, they
had already chosen their candidates, and informed me that had I called a week earlier, I
would have gone from borderline to being accepted! I can't tell you how mad I was!
Single-most important thing
when applying for scholarships
With this experience under my belt, I would have to say that the single-most
important thing when applying for scholarships is to follow up with a phone call. I know
how tedious it can be if you send out applications to many different companies, and it can
be hard to keep track of what you applied for. But keep in mind that it is most likely ten
times as hard for the company offering the scholarship to keep track of all of the
applications they receive!
A simple phone call
from you will get you noticed, and you will be remembered by the scholarship
committee... and you may even get the scholarship! Think of it in another way. Would you
make one phone call if it meant someone was going to pay you $1000? I would! Granted, this
is not guaranteed to work for all of the people all of the time or even some of the time.
But I can say that your chances in obtaining the scholarship will most likely be greater
if you DO make a phone call!
Understand the requirements...
Another thing to make sure you understand about a scholarship is the
requirements. Before applying, make sure you are qualified for the scholarship. Don't
apply if you are not qualified! It is a waste of your time, as well as the company's time.
You could certainly be spending that extra time applying for a scholarship that you DO
qualify for, and the company could be using that extra time to select a good candidate for
their scholarship. Companies have requirements for a reason.
They need to weed out some students so they have time to
review the applications of the people who meet their requirements. It may not be fair to
you or me, but the selection committees are made up of people... they need to be cut a
break, too!
So remember, when it comes time to apply for a scholarship,
make sure you know the requirements, if you don't already have an application, write to
the company for more information and an application (after all, their requirements may
have changed from prior years!), and make sure you follow up with a phone call... at least
to ask if they received your application. Then you should be on your way to a successful
college career!
Contact the
financial aid office FIRST
 Cafi Cohen, author of Homeschoolers'
College Admissions Handbook says, "Your first step should ALWAYS be contacting
the financial aid offices of colleges where your homeschooler will apply. More than 90% of
federal funds come through these offices, as well as most individual scholarship and grant
aid."
 see the rest of this interview
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"We Made It!"
Homeschool Graduates
  This fun gallery celebrates some of our proud
homeschoolers who have completed high school and are on the road to college and other
careers. Homeschooling has allowed these fine students and others to focus on careers that
they might not have otherwise been able to follow. If you have a proud graduate, this is a
great place to "show off" and also to provide encouragement for people who are
beginning the journey of homeschooling. Already featured are Jennie, who turned her love
of sewing into a successful business, Dannielle, who cares for her car and loves history,
Chuck, who is a firefighter, and so much more. |
 
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Meet the Author - Cafi Cohen
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"And What About College?"
Transcripts vs.Portfolios
Selective colleges need written proof
(documentation) of homeschooling. The documentation allows admission officers to rank
students with other applicants and determine if a student is capable of doing well at
their school.  Two types of
family-generated documentation commonly accompany college applications from homeschooled
students: a portfolio or a transcript. Find out more.
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